MCA - YAY!!

This week at school we take the MCAs Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm a sophomore and I take the reading test. I'm sooooooo glad I'm not taking the math this year. We did practices in my math class and they were so hard!! I got at least 3 wrong on each practice. So, I think I can wait another year to take that one. We have to pass all of our MCAs to graduate. In 9th grade we take writing, 10th grade we take reading, and 11th grade we take math. Senior year is free of MCAs so far but maybe someday they'll add one. Who knows?? I just think all the testing is stupid. It just makes everyone nervous and uptight. I mean if someone doesn't deserve to graduate they probably won't be passing all of their classes. Right? Isn't that enough? No, the gov't says we have to be able to pass all these tests not just our classes. The gov't shouldn't have the right to tell schools what to do. The teachers should get the right to say what kids should have to be able to do to graduate. They're the ones that work with us everyday. They know us. I guess we can't do anything about it though. That's just how things are. We have to suck it up and pass all the dumb tests. Yay, I'm so excited...

Easter Sunday Traditions

Happy Easter, everyone! It's such a nice day and it was super nice yesterday, too. I love this time of year when it's just starting to warm up. It's not too hot but it's not too cold. My family and I went to the Sunrise Church service at my church. My brother and I were both in it. He played his saxophone and i had to do the greeting and the opening prayer. We had breakfast after church - yummy! There were pancakes, sausage, eggs, and so much more. I was stuffed. So, anyways to my point. My Mom was telling me about Easter when she was little and she said that it's so different now. She said that every business was closed and most restaurants were closed. Grocery stores were even closed. You had to get your groceries the day before. Today everything is open. If you want McDonald's for Easter dinner you can sure have it. It kind of makes me sad. Like we're missing out on all the good times. Workers should get Easter off to spend with their families. It just doesn't seem fair. Easter and other holidays like Christmas don't seem as important any more. I wish they were. Today we are always running and I think we could take a break 2 days out of the year.

ALHS Show Choir Competition

Yesterday was Albert Lea High School's Annual Show Choir Competition. It was a really fun day. Not as many schools came this year because it's late in the season but it was still fun. It was also kind of nice not to have to be there from 8 until 9. I didn't have to be there until 9:30 and we got done at around 4 so that was super nice. I think it went well and there were some good groups. North St. Paul got first overall. They are always good and fun to watch. My Mom said our group looked and sounded awesome. That was good to hear. I just play in the combo for ALHS show choir and I love watching them! It was a superb day and I hope next year more groups come. It was nice to have a shorter day but then the choir doesn't make as much money and there's not as much competition. So, I hope tons of groups come next year!

Bad Day

Today was a bad day for me. I was supposed to have a dance competition in Fort Dodge so my Mom and I headed down there this morning. The roads were fine until we hit one certain spot and it was awful. The road wasn't even plowed. So, finally my Mom said that we needed to stop. We took on off ramp and we got stuck at the top of the ramp. Some super nice people helped push us out. There were definitely angels for us. After that we were kind of shaken up and so we hung out at this little restaurant while we waited for the roads to get better. It looked better after about 2 hours so we left for home. Too bad we missed the competition. 3 other girls called to say they turned around to go home too so that was good I guess. So, anyways today was a crazy day for us. I'm just glad we made it home safe. Oh, and I guess the reason the roads weren't plowed in that one certain was because there was an accident somewhere and that plows that were supposed to plow that spot couldn't get through. I think that plows from other sections should have come to help plow the part that was really bad. It's ridiculous that they could only do their sections when those roads were the ones that were perfectly fine. The plows should be able to do any section especially when help is needed.

Life's a track.

Do you ever wonder why we're all here? Why we are all striving for things that will eventually be gone? When will we reach our goals? Or when we reach them will we really, truly be happy? I feel like I'm sprinting through life and there's no slowing down... there's no finish to the race. No end to the chaos. No answers to my questions. No love to be found. I'd like to ask the happiest person in the world what their secret is. How did they get to that place? I'd love to join them. Is there a road to happiness? Is money happiness? Maybe. But probably not. The real money is having people around you that love you and cherish you. People who make you feel like you're worth it. Like you're a prince or princess who everyone worships. :) Well, probably not quite like that. That might be stressful. That's how I think you find happiness... love... and answers. With a loving, supporting cast at your side who always knows what to say. I don't think anyone could be happy without friends and family.

Care too much. Try too hard.

Everyday when I go to bed I think, "One more day done". And then I think, "Why can't I enjoy my life?" "Why does everyday have to be such a struggle?" I'm such a perfectionist that I can't let myself loose. I can't just be crazy for a day and not do my homework. I can't speak out because I'm scared someone will judge me and think I'm dumb or stupid or anything. I can't be myself because truly WHO AM I? I'm not who everyone might think I am. Smart, perfect. Those are not words I would use to describe myself. I'm not even close to those words. I study so hard for my grades because I care too much. I try too hard. I put my whole self into one test or one assignment. I can't imagine going home and relaxing. Homework is top priority. In the summer I'm a totally different person. I'm so refreshed and relaxed and it feels like I don't have any cares in the world. I just wish I could be that girl year round. Someone who I'd love to be and love to show. Someone who doesn't care too much or try too hard. Someone who lives life for that day not the next. I think you'd like that girl.

On Homework Overload

The homework load right now is overwhelming! I have so much homework. Last night I had homework in every subject except for band and choir. I can't imagine being in a sport right now and getting all the homework on the top of that. I wouldn't be able to handle it. I can barely handle just the homework. I was gone on Thursday and Friday but I barely got any make-up work. It just kept piling on as the day went on. Anyways, Spring Break is only in two weeks. That will be a really good break for everyone. Only three more months of school!!